They say that Frederick Law Olmsted turned New York into the city it is today, while the Getty family’s contributions to the Los Angeles art scene have indelibly shaped that city. In Miami, however, it’s developer Ugo Colombo who has transformed the city into a cultural hotspot that rivals the likes of other major metropolises, and, in many cases, surpasses them.

Born in Milan, Italy in 1961, Colombo spent the first 22 years of his life in his native country before setting out for the states in 1983, studying at the University of Miami and setting down roots in the city where his career would flourish. After college, Colombo began his empire buying and selling foreclosed properties. The next step in his evolution as a businessman was forming his own company, following the same path he’d taken with his foreclosure business, buying properties that needed serious work and selling them under the umbrella of his newly founded company, CMC Group. Colombo’s penchant for turning one man’s trash into real estate treasure may have gotten him his start in the real estate business, but, just a short time later, his name would become inextricably associated with the luxury market.

Colombo’s next challenges came courtesy of two residential buildings, Villa Regina and Bristol Tower, the latter of which was among the first new additions to the Miami skyline in the better part of two decades at the time of development. However, it wouldn’t be long before Bristol Tower’s Brickell neighborhood, where Colombo first set his sights in the early 90s, would completely transform. Under his watchful eye, the development of Villa Regina and Bristol Tower ushered in a sea change in Brickell, a neighborhood now infused with Colombo’s unique vision and sensibility, and ready to become Miami’s new cultural center.

It was the creation of Brickell Flatiron, however, that truly cemented Colombo’s reputation as the king of downtown Miami, and Brickell, more specifically. Designed by architect Luis Revuelta, the soaring waterfront tower offers more than a place for residents to rest their heads at night; the building itself is a lifestyle destination unlike any the city has ever seen before. Elegant modern interiors from Massimo Iosa Ghini juxtapose neutrals and bright, water-inspired jades and teals, mid-century modern inspiration, and oversized floor-to-ceiling windows set into the building’s curvaceous exterior walls, providing residents some of the most beautiful views of Biscayne Bay.

The building’s amenities are as luxe as its homes, with a rooftop pool and garden, an ultramodern fitness center, dubbed the “Sky Gym,” offering everything from traditional fitness equipment to nutritional counseling, and a spa where residents can relax at the end of a long day. The building’s Flatiron Club also boasts a separate outdoor pool, a children’s playroom and pool, wine cellar, billiard and cigar room, and even a private screening room, each infused with the luxury touches Miami residents have come to expect from a Colombo building.

Ugo Colombo’s story crosses continents and spans many decades, but it’s clear that his vision for Miami has been well worth the wait. From The Collection, his multi-brand luxury car dealership, to the Epic Residences and Hotel, to the luxury homes of Brickell Flatiron, Colombo’s vision has changed the shape of Miami for the better and shows no signs of slowing down.

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